Newfield: an Exciting New Chapter in Hockey at Sedbergh
Sedbergh School is delighted to announce the completion of two new all-weather Tiger-Turf hockey pitches.
The opening of the highly anticipated all-weather Tiger-Turf pitches has been enthusiastically welcomed by pupils and staff. The pitches provide a much needed expansion to previously limited playing facilities; “Simply moving from one to three pitches is going to have a huge impact on the day to day experience of every child engaged in Hockey. More space, added time will have a massive impact. As the nights draw in the biggest benefit will come to light. Our state of the art, LED directional lighting will enable pupils to train at anytime of year right through the evening.” Nick Davey, Director of Hockey
Located behind the School’s state-of-the-art sports facility, the Hirst Centre, the new pitches form part of a sporting hub with additional parking – including electrical-charging points. The pitches required several years of careful design and planning; different pitch configurations were reviewed and guidance sought from the local planning authority. The School’s location in a National Park area means environmental and aesthetic concerns are of paramount importance.
To ensure optimal outcomes, the School appointed specialist sports pitch consultants Surfacing Standards Limited to undertake the initial site survey & design works before going on to lead the delivery of the construction works. The chosen design incorporates a split level development, with one synthetic pitch installed at a lower level than the other. This design, complete with associated retaining walls, helped to significantly reduce the volume of excavation works required which, in turn, reduced the environmental impact of the development.
A state-of-the-art LED sports lighting system is installed to both pitches which provides strict light spillage control to significantly reduce overspill to the surrounding areas. The final stage – the large volume of planting works which will serve to be of ecological benefit to the site – is due to be carried out during the appropriate planting season.
Children attending our recent performance summer courses were the first to try out the new facilities and they’re verdict is unanimous, “They’re brilliant”! Jason Duffy, Director of Sedbergh Courses, is enthusiastic about what the pitches offer our future hockey courses, “the new pitches have doubled our pitch space which will allow for a more impactful coaching programme. Ultimately, the children of the courses get to play the sport they love on one of the best pitches in the north of England and beyond. With great coaching, a brilliant surface in a spectacular part of the UK, children really are going to have a hockey experience that lasts a lifetime.”
In addition to Sedbergh’s own teams, the School will be able to host multiple matches and offer training facilities to regional and national teams and also provide the local community with a space to develop a Hockey team of its own.